action.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo arrives rolling and tumbling across the floor.

There was a great shadow over him then, something with a terrible stench and legs too numerous to count. And now, light. He shields himself from the brightness and scoots back until he bumps against the wall, then scrambles to find shelter behind a couch. It hurts his eyes. The air is suddenly too clear, everything too clean. He fears it is a trick.

He speaks in a hush, afraid to alert the enemies but more afraid of being alone. ]

Sam? Where are you, Sam?

Comments

[theabjectauthor]

Well... then at least part of what I have to say may be of some comfort to you. Whatever urgent matter you have had cut short can, and will, in fact, wait until you are able to return from whence you came. ... My name is Lemony Snicket, and it is apparently my dubious duty to welcome you to the world, city, and castle of Paradisa.

[bronwe]

[ Lemony... he wonders if that is a pseudonym but decides to ask at a better time. ]

You may call me Frodo. And that is a relief though I must ask why we were brought here?

[theabjectauthor]

I'm afraid both the how and the why are questions that do not have concrete answers at the moment, Frodo. [he offers an apologetic frown as he pushes the kitchen door open] There are quite a few of us here, though, at least a hundred, and we've all arrived in the same mysterious manner: one moment where we were, the next, here, with no recollection of the interim.

[bronwe]

[ Yeaaah kitchen, food! ]

So we are given time and a place to rest. That seems generous to do, though one wonders how castles see such things.

[theabjectauthor]

It's quite generous, yes ... [he moves for the stove and starts to put a kettle on for tea] ... but the more I learn about what happens here, the more it seems a fair exchange, for the most part.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo steps beside him, peering up to see what he's doing. He sees the fire under the kettle at least. ]

Even despite the price one pays on arrival?

[theabjectauthor]

I think that might depend upon what, exactly, was lost. Some feel the affects of their toll more keenly than others. I, myself, lost years and years' worth of research from my home ... [he chokes slightly on the words]

... But I still have my mind, and the opportunity to learn about this place, and the people in it. What's done is done.

[that gas stove might be a wonder in itself, really. the dark glass along the front, all those funny little knobs, the fire coming out of seemingly nowhere]

[bronwe]

[ Frodo is certainly fascinated by the fancy knobs, though the fire might as well be magic. The castle does seem of the sort. ]

I am sorry... [ for the research, whatever that might be. ] I would feel most wretched if that happened to a book I've spent years and years on.

[ He moves back to lean on a nearby table. ] Not that I've written one yet but I do mean to.

[theabjectauthor]

Oh? What sort of book would it be? As a student of rhetoric, myself, I am interested in all books. [he'll busy himself with rummaging in the cupboards for the tea]

... Do you prefer any particular sort of tea, Frodo? They have nearly all of them, here.

[bronwe]

No, I... [ He shifts his weight from one foot to another. ] I've never written one you see, though I would very much like to.

[ Frodo walks over to peer at the cupboard, seeing little from his vantage point. ]

Anything that goes with milk shall do it for me.

[theabjectauthor]

Well, you'll certainly have plenty of time here, and a room of your own to write in, if you wish.

[he pulls down a tin of Indian assam, cracks it open, and holds it out so that Frodo can give the leaves a smell] How does this strike you?

[bronwe]

[ He cranes his neck to catch a whiff, smiling with approval. ] That will do.

And will the castle give me things to write with?

[theabjectauthor]

Most certainly. Strange as it may sound, one simply needs to wish for anything ordinary they may need, and it is provided. I'm still somewhat wary, myself, but the end results generally seem trustworthy, even if the means are dubious.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo opens up his palm, as if about to wish for something, then closes his fingers. ]

I have learned foul-looking things could be fair and the fairer more foul, but this castle seems to be neither.

[theabjectauthor]

Given enough time, I think you may find it to be equal parts of both ...

[bronwe]

Like life, Lemony?

[theabjectauthor]

[he can't help but smile, as he tries not to keep too much attention on the kettle. you know what they say about watched pots. not only that, but it's terribly rude to ignore one's company]

Exactly like it, as a matter of fact, Frodo. .... I've a feeling we're bound to get along quite well.